Toy bugle



sept. 30, 1941. H zlMMERMAN l2,257,145

TOY BUGLE Filed June 13, 1941 INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 30, 1941 UNITED STTES PATENT OFFICE TOY BUGLE Harry Zimmerman, New York, N. Y.

Application June 13, 1941, Serial No. 397,835

(Cl. Srl- 380) Claims.

rIhis invention relates to musical instruments especially adapted for the playing of bugle calls, and has for one of its objects the provision of such a musical instrument which is of simple inexpensive construction, yet capable of producing a sufficient number of tones of the harmonic scale, which will enable a novice to produce all the tones regularly used in playing bugie calls.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a musical instrument comprising a tube of preferably even diameter the entire length thereof, the said tube being provided at the end opposite the mouth opening with a constricted chamber formed by a plug of suitable shape and length or by any other obstruction, or by an indentation in the tube.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an air hole at the extreme end of the constricted chamber for the enhancement of the tone qualities of the instrument.

Another object is to produce a device of the character described in which the maximum simplicity of construction and operation is secured.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the nature of the improvements is better understood, the invention consisting substantially in the novel arrangement and co-relation of parts herein fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein similar reference characters are used to describe corresponding parts throughout the several views, and then finally pointed out and specifically defined and indicated in the appended claims.

The disclosure made the basis of exemplifying the present inventive concept suggests a practical embodimentJ thereof, but the invention is not to be restricted to the exact details of this disclosure, and the latter, therefore, is to be understood from an illustrative, rather than a restrictive standpoint.

In the accompanying drawing- Figure 1 is a top plan View of a musical wind instrument made in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on line 2-2 Fig. l;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional View taken on line 3-3 Fig. 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the restricted chamber forming plug;

Figure 5 is a fragmental sectional View showing a modied form of plug at the end of the tube and Figure 6 is a fragmental sectional View of a modified form of the invention wherein the constricted chamber is formed by a depression in the tube.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawing in detail i0 indicates a metallic tube of suitable length and diameter, the said tube being provided at one end thereof with a mouth piece il having an air inlet i2 and an orice i3 at its top surface. The air inlet l2 in the present instance is formed by the insertion of a Wooden plug I4 at the mouth end, the top surface of the said plug being spaced from the top Wall i5 of the mouth piece.

The opposite end of the tube is closed by a plug it preferably provided with a flared end portion il having a reduced segmental portion i8 which extends a considerable distance into the tube iQ. The said segmental portion IB has a flat surface i9 which is somewhat above the center of the tube, the said surface I9 thus being spaced from the inner upper surface 20 of the tube and forms an auxiliary constricted tone chamber 2l at the forward end of the instrument.

The tone chamber 22 formed in the tube I0 is cylindrical and of even diameter from the mouthpiece plug I4 to the end of the segment I8 Where it merges with the constricted chamber 2|. lThe upper surface of the tube I0 is provided with three regularly spaced tone, finger or valve holes 23, 24 and 25, the hole 25 being preferably positioned above the end of the segment I8 at the beginning of the constricted chamber 2i, a square opening 2S being provided in the tube I!) at the end of the constricted chamber 2l. I find that due to said constrcted chamber the instrument is enabled to produce true toned bugie notes which can be played by a novice, instead of as heretofore great skill being required to play bugle calls upon trumpets, bugles, cornets, etc., etc. I also find that the opening at the eXtreme end of the constricted chamber enhances the tone qualities of the notes produced.

In Figure 5, I have shown a plug Ia in which the shank or extension lSa instead of being of equal thickness throughout the entire length thereof increases in thickness from its end 21 towards the shoulder Il. Due to its inclined surface ld a tapering chamber 2id is provided in which the opening 26 may be omitted if desirable.

In Figure 6 I have shown a modified form of my invention wherein the constricted chamber 2lb is formed directly in the tube Illa by an indentation 28 at the end opposite the mouth thereof without the use of any plug.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a simple inexpensive wind instrument, said instrument comprising a tone chamber of even diameter provided with three regularly spaced tone holes and having a constricted chamber at the end opposite the mouth, the said arrangement adapting the instrument for use in playing bugle calls.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A musical wind instrument for blowing bugle calls, said instrument comprising a tube having a main tone chamber of even diameter having three normally and regularly spaced apart tone holes through the upper wall thereof the said tone chamber extending substantially the greater portion of the length of the tube, a mouth piece having an air inlet and orifice in communication with the said tone chamber at one end thereof, and an auxiliary constricted tone chamber in communication with the main tone chamber at the opposite end thereof.

2. A musical wind instrument for blowing bugle calls, said instrument comprising a tube having a main tone chamber of even diameter having three normally and regularly spaced apart tone holes through the upper wall thereof, a mouth piece having an air inlet and orifice in communication with the said tone chamber at one end thereof, a plug closing the opposite end of the main tone chamber and a segmental portion on the plug having a fiat upper surface extending into the tube, the said segmental portion forming with the inner top surface of the tube a constricted auxiliary tone chamber in communication with the main tone chamber.

3. A musical wind instrument for blowing bugle calls, said instrument comprising a tube having a main tone chamber of even diameter Cil having three normally and regularly spaced apart tone holes through the upper wall thereof, a mouth piece having an air inlet and orifice in communication with the said tone chamber at one end thereof, a plug closing the opposite end of the main tone chamber and a segmental portion on the plug having a flat upper surface extending into the tube, the said segmental portion forming with the inner top surface of the tube a constricted auxiliary tone chamber in communication with the main tone chamber, the said auxiliary chamber being open to the atmosphere from above at the extreme forward end thereof.

4. A musical wind instrument for blowing bugle calls, said instrument comprising a tube having a main tone chamber of even diameter having three normally and regularly spaced apart tone holes through the upper wall thereof, a mouth piece having an air inlet and orince in communication with the said tone chamber at one end thereof and an indented portion on the tube at the end opposite the mouth piece, the said indented portion forming an auxiliary constricted tone chamber in communication with the main tone chamber.

5. A musical wind instrument for blowing bugle calls, said instrument comprising a tube having a main tone chamber of even diameter having three normally and regularly spaced apart tone holes through the upper wall thereof, a mouth piece having an air inlet and orifice in communication with the said tone chamber at one end thereof, a plug closing the opposite end of the main tone chamber, and a segmental portion on the plug extending into the tube, the said segmental portion forming with the inner top surface of the tube a constricted auxiliary tone chamber in communication with the main tone chamber.

HARRY ZIlVm/IERMAN. 

